How to Hand Mix Mortar - Bricky.com

In this easy to follow instructional video, brick-laying expert and Bricky-inventor Noel Marshall explains how to hand mix mortar, saving you money on a cement mixer.

How to Mix Mortar:

Mortar mix Proportions

• Cement: Sand: Plasticizer 1:5 Plasticizer amount as recommended by manufacturer.

• Cement: Lime: Sand 1:1:6

Personally I like to use the lime mix, while both lime and plasticizer make the mortar more workable, lime also helps prevent the bricks absorbing the moisture from the mortar which slows the drying process and ultimately gives more strength.

To Mix by Hand or Using a Mixer:

I always Mix by hand when my project is small and I only require one or two batches of mortar. (One batch is enough to last 2-4 hrs)

Using a Mixer

1. Position the sand, cement, lime and bucket of water close together. Position the mixer allowing room for you to stand between the ingredients and the mixer.
2. Start the mixer.
3. If using plasticizer - add to your bucket of water amount as advised on your particular brand of plasticizer.
4. Add 2 gallons/ 10 liters of water.
5. Add your first batch of sand (4-6 shovels).
6. Add cement and lime: one shovel of each directly from the bag helps keep it tidy.
7. A standard mixer will take a total of 20-30 shovels.
8. Keep the water ahead of the dry ingredients as this will prevent it from sticking but take care nearing the end not to add too much.
9. Once you achieved the correct consistency pour into your wheelbarrow and clean the mixer.

Mixing Mortar by Hand:

1. Spill the sand out on a concrete surface, enough for 25kgs of cement (standard bag).
2. Add the cement and lime on top.
3. Using a shovel turn over the entire heap.
4. Turn back and then over once again so you've mixed the contents together three times and you'll now see that mix is uniform same colour throughout.
5. Make a hole in the center of the heap and add some water. If using plasticizer - add to your bucket of water amount as advised on your particular brand of plasticizer.
6. Pull the mix outwards from the center all around so the water starts to disperse into the mix and start flipping in the dry mix from around the edges.
7. Repeat steps 5 and 6 until you've achieved the correct consistency.

Tips for Working with Mortar

• Mortar shouldn't be mixed for more than 4 hours work, add a splash of water appropriately as it's drying.

• The natural colour of mortar can look quite bland. It's common for brick walls in particular to add some mortar dye in the mix to enhance the appearance. (I personally use black but just half the recommended amount, this leaves a grey joint as opposed to black).

• Wear old clothing and shoes. Mortar is difficult to remove after it dries on fabric.

• Use brick laying gloves (light durable skin-tight rubber) as the mortar may pierce your skin especially if you're working for prolonged periods.

• Calculate your wall dimensions to full or half sized bricks/blocks. This avoids unnecessary cutting. Standard UK bricks are 215 mm long, blocks 440mm long with a 10mm joint between each. Standard USA bricks are 7 5/8" long, blocks 155/8" long with a 3/8" joint between each.

• Ensure bricks are not dried out. Splash them with water if necessary but leave to surface dry before. Dried out bricks absorb the moisture from the mortar, this then forces the mortar to set too quickly and prevents it from gaining full strength.

• Do not point your joints until the mortar has started to set. (1-4 hours after placement).The half hour before lunch and end of the day is when a bricklayer comes back to point up their work.

• Keep your tools reasonably clean as you work and clean well at the end of each day - having a rag to hand is quite useful.

• Lay out brick heaps and spot boards every two metres apart to have mortar and bricks under your nose at all times.

• Laying brick/blocks is physical work but think of what you'll achieve and how fit you're getting in the process - beats spending time and money in the gym.

Visit bricky.com to keep up-to-date with the latest tips and tools.

Further reading:

• Watch more video content at Homebuilding TV
• Find more easy to follow step-by-step guides
• Buying Bricks